Valve apparatus for pumping systems



Sept. 16, 1941. I 5 m2 2,256,031

Filed Dec. 16, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l I/FV/IV 5. L 7'2 INVENTOR" HATTO111m Sept. 16, 1941. I. E. LITZ VALVE APPARATUS FOR PUMPING SYSTEMSFiled Dec. 16, 1938' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W1, W W z o m M u M W i M Ma J q\R \W "M M "a 5 o 97 yNI 7 Patented Sept. 16, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE VALVE APPARATUS FOR PUMPING SYSTEMS Irvin E. Litz, Denver, 0010.

Application December 16, 1938, Serial No. 246,089

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in pumping apparatus and systems.It is particularly well adapted for pumping water in rural installationsbut obviously it may be used to pump any other liquid such as oil,brine, etc.

A principal object of the invention is to provide pumping apparatus anda system of pumping that uses the natural force of air currents or windas the prime mover, the pumping being efiected through the intermediaryof compressed air.

Another object is the provision of such an apparatus and system wherebythe wind-actuated mechanism may be installed either at or remote fromthe well or other source of the liquid to be pumped.

A further object is to provide novel mechanism for adjusting thewind-actuated mechanism to correspond with the direction of the wind atall times.

Still another object is to provide apparatus of this character that hasnovel means for selectively looking it against operation when sodesired.

A still further object of the invention is to provide pumping apparatusand a system that is adaptable to raise water from wells of greatlydifferent depths.

Still another object is to provide in apparatus and a system of thischaracter, means for accumulating and automatically releasing windpumpedcompressed air to displace water or other liquid to be elevated orotherwise moved.

Other objects and advantages reside in details of design andconstruction which will be more fully disclosed in the followingdescription and in the drawings wherein like parts have been similarlydesignated and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation, partially in section, of apparatusand a system that embodies the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, of certain detailsof the apparatus and system illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, sectional view on a larger scale, taken alongthe line 33 of Figure 1, illustrating certain details shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on a larger scale, illustrating certaindetails of the portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view of an optional modified detailof the apparatus.

In the drawings, reference character I2 denotes a tower which ispreferably made of structural steel and triangular in cross section, butwhich may be made in any suitable size or shape and of any preferredmaterial. At the top the tower carries a wind-driven mechanism I3 whichis adapted for rotary or swivel movement with reference to the tower,about a substantially vertical axis.

The wind-driven mechanism in the present illustrative example, comprisesa hollow housing I I which journals a hollow shaft I5 on which ismounted a wind-driven propeller I6 having a conventional governormechanism I1. Opposite the propeller I6, the housing I4 carries an aircompressor I8, which is in direct driven connection with the hollowshaft I 5 through the intermediary of a stub shaft I9 splined into theshaft I5 as at 20.

A brake drum 2| is carried on the propeller and is positioned to beacted upon by internal brake shoes not shown in specific detail sincetheir construction would be similar to any internal brake such as, forinstance, that used on motor cars. The brake shoes are actuated byexpanding mechanism of a well-known type such as an cecentric cam, whichin turn is controlled by a brake rod 22 which is under manual control byanother brake rod 22a through the intermediary of mechanism shown morespecifically in Figure 3 and which will be later described in greaterdetail.

A fin or rudder 23 is suitably attached to the Wind-driven mechanism I3to keep the propeller I6 at all times directly facing the direction fromwhich the wind is blowing. The entire winddriven mechanism I3 is mountedupon suitable anti-friction bearings designated as awhole by referencecharacter 24, the details of which are shown in Figure 3 and will bemore fully described hereinbelow.

The discharge port of the compressor I8 is connected with a conduit 25,which connects through the arrangement shown in Figure 3, with conduit2511, which is in air-conductive swivel connection with conduit 25bthrough the intermediary of a swivel joint 2t. The swivel joint 26 isprovided with a stop arm 21 which may contact a stop 28 as thewind-driven mechanism I3 swivels on its vertical axis.

Conduit 25b is connected with a flexible conductor such as a rubber hose29, that in turn is in air-conductive connection with a conduit 30. Theobject of the flexible connection 29 is to permit a limited degree ofrelative swivel motion of the wind-driven mechanism I3 relative to thetower and the conduit 30 without relative swivel movement of theair-conductive conduits through the intermediary of the swivel joint 26.If the have a tendency to stick and otherwise be dim;-

cult to move.

A constant take-up packing nut'is shown a531,

which permits the brake rod 22a to extend therethrough without airleakage.

Referring to Figure 2, an accumulator valve is shown at 32, which valveis fully illustrated in Figure 4. Valve 32 is connected with conduit 39and is intended to be located at the top of the ,well or adjacent anyother supply of liquid to be pumped ormoved; The object of the valve 32is to accumulate and automatically release com pressed air deliveredtherethrough' from compressor 18, as will'be hereinbelow fully setforth,

When a charge of accumulated compressed air .is released'from valve 32,it passes through conduit 33 which leads through a packing gland 34- '1.In this example of a reduction to practice of down through pipe 35tojconnect with a'discharge jet 36, which is located within an air-tightcylinder 31 and which projects outwardly and laterally from the lowerportion of the pipe 35. The bottom of the cylinder 31 is closed by aninwardly and upwardly opening check valve 38 and the bottom of the pipe35 is similarly closed by another check valve 39.

Referring to'Figure 3; an air-tight chamber! is carried on theanti-friction bearing assembly 24 and supports the'hollow housing l4.Mounted within the chamber 43 is a lever arm 4| that is secured to thebrake rod 22. The other brake rod Y 22a is connected with the lever arm4 [by means of-a ball and socket joint 42. The "conduit 25 leading tothe compressor I8 is inconductive connection with the interior of thechamber to which the conduit 25a is also connected; l

The anti-friction bearing assembly 24 is suitably supported on structure43, which in turn is supported on member '44 that is" bolted orotherwise attached to the tower 12. This arrangement provides for aconcentric connection between the comprises a chamber 45' which is inconductive communication with the air-conductive conduit 33 which. leadsfrom the compressor I8. Above chamber 45 is a second chamber 46 which isconnected therewith by means of a port 41 that is controlled by a valve48 carried on a valve stem 49 provided with a compression spring 53.

A yoke 51 is secured to-a piston 52 that is in sealed engagement withthe inner walls of the chamber 45 by means of a'sealing cup 53. A bodyof liquid 54 is in the chamber 45 below the piston 52, and a port 55connects the liquid-holding portion of the chamber 45, with a reservoir56. The port 55 is unde'r manual control by means of a needle valveassembly designated as a whole by 7 reference character 51. The liquid54 is preferably oil, glycerine, or the like, that is not subject tofreezing.

The chamber 46 is in conductive connection with the conduit 33. Valvestem 49 extends upwardly through the port 41 and carries a yoke 58 whichterminates in a guide stem 59 which is housed in the head 60 of theupper chamber 46. The position of the guide stem 59 is under manualcontrol by means of a hand-nut 6| that is operable on a screw 62 inopposition to a compression spring 53. The yoke 58 carries a secondvalve 64 that controls a port 65 that is in communication with the openatmosphere at 66.

Operation the present inventive concept, the wind-driven propeller 16operates the compressor 18 to deliver compressed air through conduits25, 25a, 25b, 29 and 30, to the automatic accumulator valve 32. Thuscompressed air accumulates inchamber 45 of said, accumulator valve andas the pressure builds up in this chamber, piston 52 together with yoke51, are forced downwardly, compressing 7 action of the air in chamber 45is such that'com pression spring 5U'may be omitted if desired. Since thesquarearea of the piston 52 is greater than that of the valve 48, adifferential will be built up which will efiect the sudden opening ofthe valve 48. The quick opening movement'of the valve Will'be furtheraccentuated and faciliizgted by the expansion of thecompressed springWhen the suddenopening of the valve 48 to curs air accumulatedunderpressure in chamber 45 will pass through port 41 and along conduit 33through discharge jet 36 into cylinder 31. The

'1 cylinder 31 is immersed in the water of the well or any other liquidto be pumped, and since check valve 38 opens inwardly and upwardly, thecylinder 31 will be substantially filled with the liquid. When thecompressed air is discharged intothe cylinder 31, it Will displace thebody of liquid therein, which will then be forced upwardly through checkvalve 39 thence upwardly along gape 35 and be discharged throughdischarge line a. The downward movement of the valve 48 together withits stem 49, will move yoke 58 downwardly to close valve 64 on its seat65, thus closing passage 66. As the accumulated air is released fromchamber 45 through port 41 and conduit 33, the entire valve mechanismwill be raised by the action of the compression spring'63 since thepneumatic pressure in chamber '45 has been reduced; This will againclose valve 48 and open valve 64. In thislatter position, chamber 46 isopen to the atmosphere through exhaust port'66, which permits water orother liquid being pumped, to again refillcylinder 31 becauseatmospheric pressure is restored therein.

The rate of ejection of the liquid 54 from the 2 chamber 45 beneathpiston 52 into reservoir 56, may be optionally governed by theadjustmentof the needle valve 51, i. e., outward flowing of saidhydraulic fluid 54 past needle valve 51iduring the downward stroke ofpiston 52, and'the inwardfiow of said fluid on the upward stroke of saidpiston, controls the time of discharge'of compressed air into cylinder31 and also the period of exhaustion of air to atmosphere through port56, necessary to refill said cylinder, 31, with water, or other pumpedliquid.

Valve 54 is loosely held in the yoke 58 so that it is certain to seatproperly at 65. The compressive force of spring 63 is optionallyadjustable by means of the hand-nut GI and this nut 6i together withneedle valve 51, constitute the control factors in governing theoperation of the automatic accumulator 32.

An operator may apply braking action to the brake drum 2! on thepropeller to stop the latter from operation, by moving the manuallyoperable brake rod 22a. By this arrangement, the entire apparatus andsystem may be started or stopped at the will of the user.

When circumstances are such that the cylinder 3'! is well submersed inthe water of a well or the like, and where the relationship of the liftto the depth of submersion of the cylinder is favorable, the automaticaccumulator valve 32 may be omitted and the compressed air output fromthe compressor I8 may be conducted through the various conduits into thecylinder 3'1, which will then operate similar to the air lift. This willresult in an intermittent discharge of Water from the well without theuse of an accumulator valve.

The modern type two-blade propeller of the character developed forairplanes, as illustrated at it, Figure -1, will develop sufficientrevolutions per minute under normal wind conditions, to permit thedirect drive connection between the propeller and the compressor I8. Inthe old fashion fan type windmill, the wind-actuated wheel will notordinarily develop sufficient speed for direct connectionto acompressor.

In Figure 5, an automatic clutch is illustrated as an optionalmodification of the connection between the shaft 15a that carries thepropeller and the stub shaft ISa that is directly connected with thecompressor. Under some circumstances, this clutch may be desirablebecause it provides automatic means for completely unloading thepropeller between operations thereof, so that a very small wind velocitywill start the propeller to rotate, which rotation Will be acceleratedand the clutch will then be automatically engaged to start thecompressor. Under these circumstances, the necessary propeller torque isreached and in addition, the momentum of the propeller aids inovercoming the static inertia of the compressor, making for a more readypick-up start of said compressor.

A preferred form of automatic clutch comprises a j aw clutch member 10having an annular beveled portion H and a screw thread 12 which has arelatively fast lead angle. The screw 12 engages in a correspondinglythreaded female screw in the end of the shaft I5a. The shaft 15a carriesa plurality of bifurcated lugs 13, in each of which is pivotally mounteda centrifugal weight l t that terminates adjacent the bevel H in acam-like clutch-engaging end 15. As the propeller and its shaft I50,which is carried in suitable bearings not shown in Figure 5, begin torotate by means of air currents, the pivoted weights i l will be thrownoutwardly from the shaft by centrifugal force, which action will bringthe cam-like ends thereof, 15, in sliding engagement with the bevel H ofthe clutch element "it thus forcing the clutch member 19 outwardly awayfrom the end of the shaft I511 so that it willcontact another jaw clutchmember 16 whichis keyed onto the shaft [9a.

As this contact occurs, there Will be relative rotary movement betweenthe shaft |5a and the fast lead screw 72, which in the instantillustra-' the screw 12 is such that longitudinal force,

thereon will produce relative turning movement thereof in its threadedsocket.

It will thus be seen that the apparatus and system herein illustratedand described may be used to elevate or pump water or any liquid andthat since the intermediary of the compressed air is so extremelyflexible, the Wind-driven mechanism may be located at a distance fromthe well or other source of liquid as, for instance, the tower andwind-driven mechanism may be on a hill while the well is in a valley orother depression in the contour of the earths surface.

The apparatus and system herein set forth is capable of effecting thestated objects of this invention, and while this specification disclosespreferred means for reducing the present invention to practice and apreferred embodiment of the invention, changes may occur to thoseskilled in the art and may be made within the scope of the appendedclaims, without departing from this inventive concept.

For purposes of simplified terminology in the appended claims, upperchamber 46, Figure 4, will be designated as the exhaust chamber, and thespace 45 immediately above the piston 52 will be designated as theaccumulating chamber and the space immediately below piston 52 in whichis yieldingly confined the body of liquid 54, will be set forth as theescapement chamber.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An intermittently operable accumulator comprising an accumulatingchamber inclusive of means suitable for connecting said chamber with asource of gas under pressure and inclusive of an exhaust port, anescapement chamber, a piston operable in said chambers and positioned toseparate them, a spring-closed valve positioned at said exhaust port togovern the flow of fluid from the accumulating chamber, spring meansconnecting the piston with the valve whereby said valve is opened bymovement of the piston away therefrom, and a body of liquid havinglimited escapement yieldingly confined in said escapement chamber in aposition to be pressed by said piston when the piston is acted upon byaccumulating gas under pressure in said accumulating chamber wherebymovement of the piston under the influence of accumulating gas isretarded.

2. An intermittently operable accumulator comprising an accumulatingchamber inclusive of means suitable for connection with a source of gasunder pressure and inclusive of an exhaust port, an exhaust chamberinclusive of a vent positioned to receive gas discharged through saidport, an escapement chamber, a piston operable in said accumulatingchamber and said escapement' chamber and movably separating the twochambers, a spring-closed valve positioned at said exhaust port togovern the flow of fluid 'therethrough, spring means connecting thepiston with the valve whereby said valve is opened by movement of thepiston away therefrom, a valve in the exhaust chamber positioned to openand close said vent and connected with the first said valve foractuation thereby, and a body of liquid having a limited escapementyieldingly confined in said escapement chamber in a position to bepressed by 'movement of said piston when acted upon by accumulating gasunder pressure in the accumulating chamber whereby such pressingmovement of the piston is retarded.

IRVIN E. LITZ.

